Friction shock-absorbing mechanism



S. B. HASELTINE FRIGTIN SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed July 21. 1924 May 8, 1928.

Wafzfef y giga/4721] May s, 192s. i

S. B. HASELTINE FRICTION SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM Original Filed July 2l. 1924 2 Sheets-5216152` 2 Fly ZD F /7 f' y nga' Patented May 8, 19,28*.

UNITED STATES rArENT o1-F1cE.- f

STACY B. HASELTINE, `0]? CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMNTS, ,l

TO W` I'I. MINER, INC., A CORORATION 0F` DELAWARE.

salomon sHooK-ABsoaBrne MECHANISM.

Application ined July 21, 1924 Serin No. 727,140. Renewed December 29, 1921s.l

rlhis invention relates to improvements in friction shock absorbing mechanisms.

One object of the invention is to provide a y friction Ashock absorbing mechanism, more particularly adaptedfor railway draft riggings, wherein is obtained high capacity'due to large frictional areas, together with a preliminary action during compression and easy release.

Another object of the invention is to pro-- vide a friction shock absorbing mechanism of the intercalated plate type, including a friction Vshell and wedge spreading mea-ns comprising wedge pressure transmitting elements. wherein the wedge pressure transmitting elements are released independent-ly of thedfriction shoes and other elements of the mechanism, thereby preventing sticking lof the parts.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will more clearly yan'dfully appear from the description and claims hereinafter following. f

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 isa horizontal, longitudinal, sectional View of a railway draft rigging illustrating my improvements in connection therewith. Figures 2 and 3 are transverse, vertical sectional' views of the shock absorbing mechanism proper, corresponding respectively to the lines 2-2 and 3-3 of Figure 1. Figure 4t is a detail side elevational view of one of the friction plates used in connection with my improved mechanism. And Figure 5 is a detail, perspective view of one of the friction wedge'shoes.

In said drawings, 10--10 indicate channelshaped center or draft sills of a railway'car undcrframe, to the innerfaces of which are secured front stop lugs 11-11 and rear stop lugs A12-12- The inner end portion of the draw-bar isshown at. 13, towhich is suit-ably secured a hooded yoke 14 of the usual construrtion. The shock absorbing mechanism proper, including the front and rear followis disposed within the yoke 14; and the movable parts of the draft rigging are supported by a detachable saddle plate 15.

lThe friction shock absorbing mechanism proper, comprises broadly, front and rear followers AVV-A; a friction casingor shell B; front and rear pairs of friction wedge shoes C---Cgk two groups of fric-tion plates D-D; front andfrcar spring followercaps E-AE; a main spring resistance F; an auxiliary spring resistance G and a retainer bolt H.

.The front and rear followers A. are 'of like coi'ist'ruction, each being in the form of a heavy, `rectangular plate, and preferably having Lvthe wedge member 15 formed integral therewith, the latter being in the form of'a hollow enlargement on the inner side of the follower. Each member 15 has a pair 0f faces 16 at opposite sides thereof, converging inwardly'of the mechanism andadapted to cooperate with a corresponding pair of friction shoes.

The friction casing or shell B is of rectangularhollow box-like form, open `at its front and rear ends, and has spaced, longitudinally disposed, top and 'bottom walls 17,

and longitudinally extending, spaced side wallslS. The side walls presentk interior, longitudinally disposed, friction surfaces 19 with lwliicli the friction plates cooperate. Each sidewall has a centering lug 20 on the inner side thereof, the lug 20 being prefer'- ably formed integral therewith and disposed midway between the front and rear ends of the shell an glequally spaced from the top and bottom thereof. VIn the normal position of the parts,rthe shell B has its front andrear ends equally spaced from'the corresponding followers and the movement of the followers toward leach other is limited by engagement with ythe ends of the shell. Y

The friction vwedge shoes C are four'in number, arranged in pairs at 'oppositewen'ds of the mechanism, each pair cooperating with the corresponding wedgemember 15., each shoe D on the side thereof nearest Ythe 'axis of the mechanism being provided rwith an outer wedge face 116 adapted tol cooperate with one of the wedge faces 16 of the correspending wedge member 15. At the lopposite side. each shoe. D has an elongated friction surface :21 adapted to engage the innermost friction lplate of the corresponding group D. Each shoe is also provided with an integral, laterally projecting plate restoringdlug 22, disposed inwardly of the outer end of the shoe and equally spaced from the top and bottom thereof. As clearly shown in Figures l and 5, each shoe is cut away at its inner side to provide a concavity 23 rearwardly of the face 116, adapted to accommodate the side of the cup-shaped section 24 of the corresponding follower cap E. The rear end of each shoe preferably provided with a. beveled face Q5 adapted to cooperate with a correspondingly beveled surface 26 at the base of the corresponding cupr` like spring follower cap E. As clearly shown in Figure l, each cap E is provided with a pair of beveled surfaces 26 at the opposite sides of the centerthereof, said surfaces converging outwardly of the mechanism and adapted to cooperate with the corresponding shoes to hold the inner ends of the latter in engagement with the groups of friction plates.

The spring resistance F, which is in the form of a relatively heavy coil, is interposed between the spring followers E and has its opposite ends seated in the cup-shaped scctions thereof and bearing on the end walls of said sections. lhe spring resistance i,

which is relatively light, is disposed centrally within the spring F and is interposed between the wedge members l5, having its opposite ends bearing on the inner ends of said members, the end walls of the cup-shaped sections of the front and rear spring followers being provided with alined openings 2T through which the spring `Gf extends and said openings being of such a size as to freely ac commodate the spring.

The friction plates D are longitudinally arranged within the shell and comprise two oppositely disposed groups. is herein shown, each group comprises three plates. The plates l) are all of idential design, each plate heilig provided with an inwardly eX- tending slot 2S at one end, and an elongated opening 29 adjacent the opposite end, and a second elongated opening 30 between the ends, the latter being of greater lengthy than the opening S29. The slot Q8 and the openings 29 and 30 are disposed in longitudinal alinement and are equally spaced from the top and bottom edges of the plate. Adjacent plates of each group are rcversely arranged, end for end, the inner and outer plates of each group having the ends provided with the opening 29 disposed at the one end of the mechanism, and the `intermediate plate of each group having the end provided with the opening 29 disposed at` the opposite end of the mechanism. rltlhe two groups are also reversely arranged with reference to each other, the inner and outer plates of the group atone side of the mechanism and the intermediate plate of the group at the opposite side of the mechanism having the ends provided with tlie openings 29 disposed at the same end of the mechanism. The plate restoring lug f one of the front shoes G engages with the openings 29 of the inner and outer plates of one group, and the restoring lug of the rear shoe C on the corresponding side of the mechanism engages within the opening 2S) of the intermediate plate of the same group, while the restoring lug 22 of tbefront shoe at the opposite side of the mechanism engages the opening 2S) of the intei-mediate plate of the other group and the lug 9.2 of the rear shoe on the corresponding side eiigages within the openings 29 of the innerI and outer `plates of the last named group. As clearly shown in Figure l, the openings 29 are of sucha length as to permit movement of the lug therein longitudinally ofthe mechanism, thereby permitting limited relative movement of the shoes and the plates.y 'In this manner, each plate is anehored at one end to one of the slices and the slot 28 of said plate 'is adapted to receive and provide clearance for the lug of the corresponding shoe at the opposite end of the mechanism, the slot 28 being of such a length as to permit full movement of the plate during the compression stroke. `Each shell restoring lugl 2O extends through the openings 30 of all the plates of one group, as clearly shown in Figures l and 8. The open*- ings 30 are of such a length as to permit the full movement of the plates with reference to the shell during the compression of the mechanism and the openings 30 of the respective plates are so disposed with reference to the opposite endsof said plates and are so proportioned that the walls at the front end of the openings 3() of the plates anchored to the rear slices will engage the front sides of the lugs 2O and the 'alls at the rear ends of the openings 30 of the plates anchored to the front shoes will engage the rear sides of said lugs, when the plates are in normal po sition. lt will be evident that the plates through their connection with the lugs Q() act to properly center the shell between the front and rear followers when the plates are restored yto normal position. t alst: pointed out that the reverse arrangement of the two groups of friction plates also aids in the return of the shell to normal position, due to the outermost plates of the two groups nioving in reverse directions during the restoration of the plates to normal position. As clearly illustrated in Figure l, in which the parts are shown in normal position, the front` ends of the outer and inner plates of one group and the front end of the intermediate plate of the other group project beyond the front end of the shell and are slightly spaced from the front follower, and the rear end of the intermediate plate of the first named group and the rear ends of the inner and outer plates of the second named group project beyond the rear end of the loo liu

shell :and are also slightlyspaced fromtrhe rear follower. I y

The mechanism .is .held in .assembled relation and 'under initial compressionby the retainer bolt H anchored to the enlargements l of the front and rear followers A and extending through the coil of the spring G. In addition, the retainer bolt also serves as a meansfor adjusting the gear to correct overall length.

The operation of my improved shock absorbing mechanism is as follows, assuming an inward or builing movement of the drawbar. The front follower'A will be moved therewith, forcing the front wedge and the shoes 'C rearwardly, 1compressing thev spring resistance elements 'F and Gg and thereby forcing the rear pair of shoes C more closely into wedging engagement with the rear wedge l5, the simultaneous wedging action thus set up between the'front and rear wedges and thevshoes C placing the friction plates under lateral pressure. `As the rearward movement of the front follower A continues, the front shoes C wiil tend to move the friction `plates 'and the shell B therewith, due to the friction between the front shoes :C `and the innermost plates of each group between the plates of each group, and between the groups of plates and the shell B. At the same time, there will be an equal resistance to the rearward movement of the plates and .the shell B due to the friction between the rear shoes C, the plates of each group andthe shell B. Due

to this balancing action, the rear end of the shell B and the rear ends of the plates will approach the rear follower A` at substantially the same rate as the front follower' approachest-l'ie front end of the shell B and the frontends of the plates, Awhile the front shoes slip on the innermost plates and the latter in turn slip on `the rear shoes C. As

will'be evident, during the` relative move-r ment ofthe shoes and the friction plates, the lugs 22. will be movedout of engagement and away from the outer end wallsof the openings '29 of the plates. This action will continue until the front follower' engages the front ends of the projecting friction plates and the rear ends of the remaining plates of the two groups engage the rear follower A, whereupon the platesfwill be moved `relatively to each other, thereby increasing the frictional resistance offered.

' Due to Vthe reverse arrangement of the two groups of plates, the .friction shell B will be approached by the front follower vand approach the rear follower at substantially the saine rate. The movement of the followers, plates and shell, just' described. continues until the front and rear ends of the shell B abut the front and rear followers A, whereupon the force is transmitted directly through the shell to the rear stop lugs. kIt wilf'lbefevident.that duringthe relative movement of i the plates, the; ,fend

walls'of theopenings SOsvi'll'sbe moved out.v

of engagementv with the centering lugs .Q0 of the :friction :Shelli During 4draft, thiey act-ion is the reverse of that just described, the

rear follower being lmoved .forward while Vtmitedby:the spring resistanceiG, andthe angle included between the wedging faceslt being relatively blunt. The frictionwedge shoes also( will be partially released f prior to any mowf'ement of the friction plates, due` to the lugs 22 of the shoes being spaced from the outer end walls of the recesses 29 of said plates, `during the compression stroleo'f the mechanism. *i f i This initial release inovenient insures a reduction of the wedging pressure during the initial action,therebyreducing the pressure on the groups of plates andf-acilitating the restoration of thefplates tofnormal'posif tion. As vthe front and nearpairs of shoes are separated, due tothe expansionf'of the spring resistance F, the lugs of said `slices will be brought into engagement with the. outer end walls of the `recesses 29 of the plates for picking up the pilates and returning them to normal, position, as shown in Figure l, at the same time bringing the' end walls of the openings 30 into abutment with the lugs 20` and centering theyshell Bg It will be evident that the lugs 20 not only function as a centering means, but also'limit the relative movement ofthe plates andact to retain them within 'the casing; l f

As wear occurs on 'the various" friction andwedge surfaces, compensation therefor is had by the shoes C being pushed outwardly by the expansion of the spring resistance Fwhich as hereinbefore described, is underl initial compression.l

From the preceding description taken in connection with the drawings, it'will beevi dent that on account of the direct action of the auxiliary spring in assisting releasenot the wedge members, sticking ofthe parts is prevented and` a releasing at A'ion assured,`immediately upon the reduction offthe compression force,

It will also be evident thata-veryfsimple n and eflicient means is provided for restoring the parts of the mechanism to norma-l posi# tion, 1n`that both'the frictionshelland the wedge friction shoes are formed with integllt.

merely illustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope ofthe claims appended hereto.

I claim.: i l. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination.with fiont and rear followers; of a movable, frictimi shell. interposed between said followers; a plurality of relatively movable friction plates within the shell: wedge pressurecreating means for placing said plates under lateral pressure, said means including a plurality of friction slices; spring resistance means cooperating with said wedge pressure creating means; means on said shoes directly engaging said plates for restoring the latter to normal position; and means on the shell directly engaged by said plates for centering the same after each compression stroke of the mechanism. i

2. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism; the combination with front and rear followers relatively7 movable toward each other; of a movable friction casing interposed between said followers, said casing having longitudinally disposed, interior friction surfaces; a plurality of relatively7 movable, intercalated, friction plates within the casing cooperating with said friction surfaces; wedge pressure creating means for placing said plates under lateral pressure, said means including friction shoes; a spring resistance cooperating with said means; lugs on said shoes engaging said friction plates for restoring the latter to normal position; and centering lugs on the casing adapted to be engaged by saidy plates for restoring the casing to normal position.

13. In a friction shock absorbing mechanis1n,.thc combination with follower acting means; of al lateral pressure resisting member having a longitudinally disposed friction surface; a group of intercalated relatively movable friction plates cooperating with the friction surface of said member; pressure creating means forplaeing said plates under lateral pressure, said means including friction shoes; a spring resistance means cooperating with said pressure creating means; means rigidwith said shoes and directly engaging said plates for restoring the latter to normal position; and means rigid with. the lateral pressure resisting member adapted to `directly engage said plates for restoring the former to normal position.

4. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with front and rear followers, relatively movable toward and away from each other; of a movable friction asing interposed between said followers, said casing having interior, longitudinally disposed, friction surfaces; a plurality of relatively movabl-e, intercalated friction plates disposed within lsaid casing` said plates being divided into two groups on opof said mechanism, said spreading means he-` ing interposed between the grknips of plates, each spreading means including a `wedge member and a cooperating pair of friction wedge shoes a main spring resistance interposed between the friction shoes at the front and rear ends of the mechanism; an additional spring resistanee interposed between the wedge members at the opposite ends of said mechanism; means for directly anchoring the friction plates to said slices; and means disposed between the ends of-tlie casing direct-ly ei'igaging the friction plates for centering the easing after each compression stroke. f

In a friction shock absorbing mechanisnn the combination with front and rear followers, relatively movable toward and away from each other; of a movable friction casing interposed between said followers, said casing having interior, longitudinally disposed friction surfaces; a `phuality of relatively kn'iovablea iiitercalated, friction platesk disposed 'within said casing` said plates being divided into two groups at opposite sides of the mechanism and cooperating respectively with the friction surfaces of the casing; spreading means at opposite ends of said mechanism, said spreading means being interposed between the groups of plates, each spreading means including a wedge member and a cooperating pair of friction wedge slices; `spring resistance means coacting with said spreadingmeans at the opposite ends of the mechanism; means for directly anchoring the friction plates to said shoes; andmeans disposed between the ends ofthe casing directly cngaging the friction plates for centering the casing after each compression stroke.

G. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism` the combination with front and rear followers, relatively movable toward and away from each other; of a movable friction casing interposed between the said followers`r said casing having longitudinally disposed. interim` friction surfaces; ofva plurality of relatively movable. intercalated.v friction plates disposed within said casing, said plates being divided into two groups at oppositesi des of the mechanism and cooperat-` ing respectively with the friction surfaces of the casing; wedgemembers at opposite ends of the mechanism; a pair of friction vwedge shoes cooperating with each wedge member` said shoes having beveled rear ends; a main spring resistance: spring followers interposed between 'said main spring resistance and the shoes at the opposite ends of the mechanism; said spring followers each having oppositely inclined faces respectively engaging the beveled faces of the correspondlOU ating With the friction plates for centering the casing,` after eachcompression stroke.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I 10 have hereunto subscribed my name this 9th day of July 1924.

STACY B. HASELTINE. 

